In Kuwait’s stuttering projects market, for every step forward, there seem always to be two steps back. Reports in mid-June that the country’s major new airport project was being put on hold after companies bidding for the construction contracts pulled out was not, therefore, a particular surprise. Kuwaiti newspapers reported that the Ministry of Public Works has put the KD1bn ($3.6bn) second airport terminal project on ice after most of those bidding withdrew, apparently in protest at the onerous conditions.